Dallas Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery

Dallas News Local News Blog Schutze Buzz Ask a Mexican Archives Search Dallas Observer Flipbook Weekly Newsletter Get Mobile

Dallas Events Top Picks Submit an Event Events Newsletter Get Mobile Tickets

Dallas Music Music Blog Concert Calendar Dallas Nightlife Submit an Event Music Newsletter Get Mobile

Dallas Restaurants Food Blog Find a Restaurant Menus Happy Hours Deals Best Of Dining Newsletter Get Mobile Restaurant Ads

Dallas Arts Arts Blog Dallas Theater Arts Newsletter Get Mobile Entertainment Ads Arts & Eats

Dallas Movies Showtimes Dallas People Film Festivals Film Newsletter Get Mobile Free Stuff

Things to do in Dallas 2012 2011 2010 2009 Best Of Newsletter Get Mobile Best Of Ads

Dallas Promotions Promotional Events Street Team Free Stuff Promotions Newsletter Get Mobile Deals Tickets

Dallas Classifieds Advertiser Index Deals Deals Newsletter Become a Hooters Girl Research Studies Virtual Career Fair

Fruit of the Poison Tree

By Rick Kennedy March 10, 2005

For banana growers, the pesticide DBCP seemed like a godsend when it came on the market in the 1960s. The chemical has no equal for killing parasites that can devastate a banana crop. But DBCP proved to be uniquely effective for another purpose as well: sterilizing the men... More >>>

6 Images

Fred Misko, top, lead lawyer for the banana workers,
and Terry Murphy, below, chief counsel for Dole, both
claim to be confident of victory in the trial that starts
next week in Dallas' 116th District Court.

Carlos Sosa, left, has devoted much of his time to the cause of fellow banana workers injured by DBCP. He says the chemical made him sterile.

Miguel Picado says that exposure to DBCP has left him with a variety of health problems, including the impotence that has strained his relationship with wife Elieth.

The Dallas trial will be the first time the claims of Costa
Rican banana workers--several of whom are pictured
above--will be heard by an American jury. Many of the
370 plaintiffs gathered last month, below, for a meeting
with their lawyers.

Oldemar Salas, 40, one of the bellwether plaintiffs, says he has been working on banana plantations since he was 13. He continues to harvest bananas for Del Monte.

Next >>

Charles E. Ames

Banana republic: The Dole sunburst logo is ubiquitous in Costa Rica, from an ad at Juan Santamaria International Airport vowing to "produce in harmony with the environment" to the trailers waiting at a processing plant for their cargo of bananas. The pesticide DBCP was pumped into the soil with handheld injectors, at bottom.

My Account
Log In
Join
Connect
Facebook
Twitter
Newsletters
Things To Do App
Advertising
Dallas Observer
National
Classified
Infographics
Company
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Site Problems?

Browse Voice Nation

Voice Places

Find everything you're looking for in your city
Happy Hour App

Find the best happy hour deals in your city
Daily Deals

Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%
Best Of...

Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city